Chapter 188
Summer’s POV
Sean and Edward insisted on joining our riding adventure. The sprawling property looked like something straight out of a Ralph Lauren advertisement–pristine white fences, meticulously groomed fields, and sleek thoroughbreds grazing in the distance.
This place is incredible, I breathed, taking in the manicured landscape as we all stepped out of our cars.
Brandon’s hand found mine immediately. “Have you ever ridden before?
“Never,” I admitted. ‘Ruby came here once when we were teenagers Her parents were trying the whole socialite daughter thing. She nearly got trampled her first day–swore she’d never set foot near a horse again.”
I chewed my lip, my earlier excitement now giving way to trepidation as 1 watched the horses being led around nearby. They were so much… bigger in person.
Brandon reached over, tilting my chin up. “Don’t worry. You’re perfectly safe with me. The safety measures here are top–notch, and even if you don’t trust them-” his thumb brushed my lower lip “-you can trust me.”
“Yeah, that’s right, Sean chimed in, sidling up next to us. “And if you don’t trust this guy-
“There’s always me and Edward,” Sean continued, gesturing to Edward who stood a few steps away. “Edward’s riding skills blow your husband’s out of the water. And if Edward fails you, you’ve still got me, and I’m better than both of them combined!”
I laughed, tension diffusing. “You being better than both of them? No way. I’m absolutely sure Brandon’s amazing.”
Sean clutched his chest dramatically. “Ouch! Edward, are you seeing this? Brandon’s barely been married five minutes and they’re already spreading their lovey–dovey vibes everywhere. It’s not fair! I don’t remember you and Grace being this nauseating when you first got married.”
The atmosphere shifted instantly. Edward’s relaxed expression darkened, his jaw tightening visibly.
“Shit,” Sean muttered. “I’m sorry–that was totally out of line. I know we don’t mention her.”
When no one responded, Sean threw his hands up. “Come on, guys! get it–one’s her brother, one’s her ex–husband. But seriously, Edward, Katniss has been gone for years. Don’t you think it’s time to move on?”
“What about you?” Edward fired back, voice controlled. “Alice’s been gone just as long. Have you moved on?”
The three men stood frozen in a triangle of tension, each nursing old wounds none wanted to discuss. I shifted uncomfortably, feeling like I’d stumbled into a minefield.
“Um, Brandon? I interjected. “Weren’t you going to teach me how to ride today?”
Brandon’s expression softened immediately. “You’re right. Let’s go get you changed, then we’ll pick out a horse for you.”
He took my hand, leading me away from the standoff.
“Will they be okay?” I whispered. “They seemed ready to tear each other apart.”
“They Il be fine, Brandon assured me.
Are you sure? Because the way they were looking at each other…” I glanced back. “I was honestly worried they might start throwing punches.”
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Chapter 188
A hint of amusement returned to Brandon’s eyes. “Trust me, if anything, those two will team up against me before they’d ever fight
each other.”
“Reall
I remained skeptical.
“Really,” Brandon confirmed. “Edward won’t do anything to Sean.”
Before we went inside the clubhouse, I asked the question burning my mind. “Can I ask you something? Katniss… is she the same as your sister, Grace Stark?”
Brandon nodded. “Yes. She’s my uncle Gavin’s biological daughter. She and Zoey were switched at birth–she grew up with another family. She strongly resembles my aunt, which sparked the investigation.”
“What about her and Edward?”
“It’s complicated. They were married, but separated due to a misunderstanding. Now no one knows where she is.”
“Haven’t you tried to find her?”
“Of course we have,” Brandon replied softly. “But Katniss is stubborn. Once she makes up her mind, it’s nearly impossible to change it. The divorce papers she left for Edward were… final.”
“And Edward? Doesn’t he want to find her?”
Brandon’s eyes met mine. “June, not every relationship gets a happy ending.”
His words sent a chill through me. I gripped his hand tighter. “Brandon, promise me something. Promise you’ll never abandon me. No matter what happens.”
Brandon knew my history–how it felt to be betrayed by someone I trusted completely. The thought of experiencing that devastation again terrified me.
“I won’t,” he said firmly. “Unless you tell me to go, I’m not going anywhere. I know promises can sound empty. But when I give you my word, I keep it. Always.”
I nodded, blinking back tears. “I love you, Brandon.”
“I love you too.” He leaned forward, pressing a kiss to my forehead, his thumb smoothing the worry line between my brows. “Anything else you want to know?”
I hesitated, then asked, “What about Alice?”
Brandon’s eyes darkened, his grip tightening. “She’s the other sister mentioned before–one of the few Stark family members you
can trust.”
“Alice Stark?” I confirmed.
He nodded, “Her situation is different from Katniss’s. She’s an illegitimate Stark–a mistake my father made when he was young. She wasn’t right for the Stark family. And she wasn’t right for Sean, either.”
“Did they break up because of a misunderstanding too?”
“No,” Brandon stated bluntly. “There was no misunderstanding. They simply weren’t in love anymore, weren’t meant for each other.”
And where is she now? Did she leave on her own, like Katniss?”
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Chapter 188
“I’ll tell you more about her later, Brandon replied, his tone making it clear the subject was closed, “Just try not to mention Alice around Sean. He doesn’t handle it well.”
He opened the door to the changing room. “I have a personal locker room here. James called ahead, so your riding clothes should already be waiting.”
I nodded, following him inside and setting aside the mysterious stories of Katniss and Alice for another time.
The changing room was luxurious–all polished wood and ambient lighting. Brandon retrieved a garment bag,
“Here,” he said. “Try these on. Afterward, I’ll teach you the basics, then we’ll select a horse for you. Since it’s your first time, we’ll keep it simple.”
I understood then that this outing had been Brandon’s way of helping me decompress after Victoria’s disastrous birthday party. He’d wanted to give me a peaceful day together, just the two of us.
I emerged from the bathroom minutes later in fitted riding breeches, tall boots, and a crisp white button–down shirt. My hair was pulled into a high ponytail, face bare of makeup, feeling somehow younger and more carefree than I had in months.
Brandon’s eyes lit up as they traveled from my face down to my boots and back again. Gone was the polished professional I showed the world at Stark Group, and in her place stood someone less controlled, more alive.
“Well?” I asked, doing a small twirl. “How do I look?”
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